Compare IBM Db2 and Microsoft SQL Server 
At a Glance
Market Segments
Enterprise (66.3% of reviews)
Enterprise (45.9% of reviews)
Entry-Level Pricing
Free Trial 1 License
No pricing available
IBM Db2
Star Rating
(670)4.1 out of 5
Market Segments
Enterprise (66.3% of reviews)
Entry-Level Pricing
Free Trial 1 License
Browse all 6 pricing plansMicrosoft SQL Server
Star Rating
(2,214)4.4 out of 5
Market Segments
Enterprise (45.9% of reviews)
Entry-Level Pricing
No pricing available
Learn more about Microsoft SQL ServerSummary
AI Generated Summary
AI-generated. Powered by real user reviews.
- Users report that Microsoft SQL Server excels in Data Quality with a score of 8.7, while IBM Db2 trails slightly behind at 8.3. Reviewers mention that SQL Server's built-in tools for data validation and cleansing are particularly effective.
- Reviewers mention that Microsoft SQL Server's Query Language is highly rated at 9.2, compared to IBM Db2's 8.3. Users say that SQL Server's T-SQL offers more intuitive syntax and better support for complex queries, making it easier for developers to work with.
- G2 users highlight that Microsoft SQL Server's Backup and Recovery features are top-notch, scoring 9.0, while IBM Db2's score of 8.6 indicates room for improvement. Users report that SQL Server's automated backup options provide peace of mind and reliability.
- Users on G2 report that Microsoft SQL Server's Data Replication capabilities are superior, with a score of 8.8, compared to IBM Db2's 8.5. Reviewers mention that SQL Server's replication options are more flexible and easier to configure.
- Reviewers mention that IBM Db2 shines in Data Distribution, scoring 9.0, while Microsoft SQL Server scores 8.9. Users say that Db2's ability to efficiently manage data across distributed environments is a significant advantage for large enterprises.
- Users report that Microsoft SQL Server's Performance Analysis tools are highly effective, scoring 8.9, while IBM Db2's tools are rated slightly lower at 8.5. Reviewers mention that SQL Server's built-in performance tuning features help optimize database operations seamlessly.
Featured Products
Sponsored
RaimaDB
(2)
Data Warehouse
Visit Website
Sponsored
Kpow for Apache Kafka®
(4)
Data Warehouse
Visit Website
Pricing
Entry-Level Pricing
IBM Db2
Db2 On Cloud - Lite
Free Trial
1 License
A completely free edition of DB2 on Cloud.
- Enjoy high performance and elastic scaling with Db2’s fully managed database and warehouse solutions in the cloud. Try for free.
Microsoft SQL Server
No pricing availableFree Trial
IBM Db2
Free Trial is available
Microsoft SQL Server
No trial information availableRatings
Meets Requirements
8.5
476
9.0
1,813
Ease of Use
8.0
485
8.6
1,827
Ease of Setup
7.6
253
8.1
948
Ease of Admin
7.7
237
8.3
927
Quality of Support
8.0
449
8.3
1,608
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
8.3
230
8.4
878
Product Direction (% positive)
6.7
444
8.3
1,783
Features by Category
Data Management
8.6
50
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.1
47
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.7
47
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.2
46
|
Verified
Not enough data
7.6
32
|
Verified
Not enough data
7.7
32
|
Verified
Not enough data
Integration
7.9
41
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.1
43
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.2
40
|
Verified
Not enough data
Deployment
8.5
48
|
Verified
Not enough data
7.8
39
|
Verified
Not enough data
Performance
8.6
49
|
Verified
Not enough data
Security
8.7
44
|
Verified
Not enough data
9.1
33
|
Verified
Not enough data
Generative AI
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
Management
Not enough data
8.9
130
Not enough data
8.9
129
Not enough data
9.3
135
Not enough data
8.9
130
Not enough data
8.9
132
Maintenance
Not enough data
9.0
130
Not enough data
9.0
135
Not enough data
9.0
131
Security
Not enough data
8.9
129
Not enough data
9.1
131
Management
8.5
53
9.1
115
8.3
55
9.2
116
8.1
45
8.8
102
8.5
48
8.8
108
Support
7.9
49
8.6
110
8.3
52
9.1
114
7.9
52
8.7
109
8.2
53
8.6
113
Security
8.4
52
8.9
113
8.7
52
9.1
113
8.3
50
8.8
110
8.3
48
9.1
113
Performance
8.6
53
8.7
110
8.5
51
8.8
108
8.5
50
8.7
113
8.3
50
8.6
111
8.3
50
8.8
112
Database Features
8.7
297
8.9
1248
8.8
299
9.0
1253
8.8
299
8.9
1261
8.4
295
8.7
1227
8.8
294
8.8
1229
8.4
295
8.8
1236
8.4
300
9.1
1256
Automation
8.3
9
Not enough data
8.1
9
Not enough data
8.3
9
Not enough data
8.5
9
Not enough data
Functionality
7.4
9
Not enough data
8.1
9
Not enough data
8.0
9
Not enough data
Administration
8.3
8
Not enough data
7.7
8
Not enough data
7.7
8
Not enough data
Configuration
8.5
65
Not enough data
8.1
60
Not enough data
8.5
65
Not enough data
8.3
61
Not enough data
8.6
62
Not enough data
Database Administration
8.6
60
Not enough data
8.8
60
Not enough data
8.8
59
Not enough data
Availability
8.9
62
Not enough data
9.1
62
Not enough data
8.8
63
Not enough data
8.9
63
Not enough data
Security
8.4
41
Not enough data
8.8
42
Not enough data
8.8
40
Not enough data
Data Management
8.7
45
Not enough data
8.6
44
Not enough data
Database
Not enough data
8.7
49
Not enough data
8.9
50
Not enough data
8.4
47
Integrations
Not enough data
7.9
38
Not enough data
8.3
38
Platform
Not enough data
8.3
43
Not enough data
8.6
46
Not enough data
8.3
38
Processing
Not enough data
8.5
45
Not enough data
8.4
48
Building Reports
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Platform
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Database Features
8.7
297
8.9
1248
8.8
299
9.0
1253
8.8
299
8.9
1261
8.4
295
8.7
1227
8.8
294
8.8
1229
8.4
295
8.8
1236
8.4
300
9.1
1256
Categories
Categories
Shared Categories
IBM Db2 and Microsoft SQL Server are categorized as Relational Databases
Unique Categories
IBM Db2 is categorized as Data Warehouse, Object-Oriented Databases, XML Databases, Database as a Service (DBaaS), and Data Warehouse Automation
Microsoft SQL Server is categorized as Database Management Systems (DBMS), Big Data Processing and Distribution, and On-Premise Data Integration
Reviews
Reviewers' Company Size
IBM Db2
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
Microsoft SQL Server
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
Small-Business
(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market
(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise
(> 1000 emp.)
Reviewers' Industry
Information Technology and Services
21.5%
Banking
11.6%
Computer Software
10.4%
Financial Services
7.3%
Insurance
6.0%
Other
43.2%
Information Technology and Services
24.1%
Computer Software
13.8%
Hospital & Health Care
5.5%
Financial Services
4.1%
Higher Education
2.9%
Other
49.7%
Most Helpful Reviews
IBM Db2
Most Helpful Favorable Review
Shubham S.
Verified User in Information Technology and Services
The best part in my experience was direct SQL integration int COBOL programs. I had prior SQL experience when I started writing COBOL programs I didn't face any difficulty whatsoever. Moreover there are regular upgrades which we handle, which adds to the...
Most Helpful Critical Review
Verified User in Automotive
When partitioning a table space, difficulty arises in updating indexes. You must delete a row and insert it with new values. Key values must be known and defined ahead of time as once they are committed, you can not roll them back. DB2's language is not as...
Microsoft SQL Server
Most Helpful Favorable Review
Elizabeth G.
Verified User in Information Technology and Services
For my use cases, microsoft sql has been pretty cooperative.
Most Helpful Critical Review
madhumita k.
Verified User in Information Technology and Services
sometimes it gives vague responses with lots of unwanted data
Shubham S.
Verified User in Information Technology and Services
The best part in my experience was direct SQL integration int COBOL programs. I had prior SQL experience when I started writing COBOL programs I didn't face any difficulty whatsoever. Moreover there are regular upgrades which we handle, which adds to the...
Elizabeth G.
Verified User in Information Technology and Services
For my use cases, microsoft sql has been pretty cooperative.
Verified User in Automotive
When partitioning a table space, difficulty arises in updating indexes. You must delete a row and insert it with new values. Key values must be known and defined ahead of time as once they are committed, you can not roll them back. DB2's language is not as...
madhumita k.
Verified User in Information Technology and Services
sometimes it gives vague responses with lots of unwanted data
Alternatives
Discussions
Where can I find answers to other questions I may have?
2 comments
Official Response from IBM Db2
The link provided leads to a page with common questions about the DB2 on Cloud free plan.Read more
I want to replace KDB+ with DB2 BLU, before doing this in my project, i want to know following answers.
1. Is DB2 BLU , capable for this type of achievement which KDB+ do?
2. can you please give me a list comparison between DB2 BLU with KDB+?
1 comment
NO
Please check:
https://db-engines.com/en/system/IBM+Db2%3BKdb%2B
Read more
Which tool do you use for deep monitoring of IBM DB2 databases (instances) ?
1 comment
MF
Maxim, we have a dedicated management console that comes free with Db2. It was called Data Server Manager in the past, now we call it the Unified Management...Read more
How could I make much easier the experience with the order of my database?
4 comments
AF
You can create different tables with your employee information eg employee table, employee roles etc. Then you can create a single view that will pull data...Read more
What is the best way to save your queries?
4 comments
CA
I recommend that you use the saved querys in plain text or .sql or txt format you can use the same sql server query creator or a notepad +++ tool, they are...Read more
How can I work on the same query if the connection is lost (timeout) and then I reconnect?
4 comments
JE
When this happens to me in SQL Server Management Studio, I just have to type USE {your database name here} and then select only that statement and execute...Read more
Hunting for software insights?
With over 2.5 million reviews, we can provide the specific details that help you make an informed software buying decision for your business. Finding the right product is important, let us help.
